נִשְׁמַ֣ת
𐤍𐤔𐤌𐤕
nᵉshâmâh
spirit
Breath; specifically, the act or process of breathing as the marker of animate life. In extension, living being; in specialized contexts, often denotes vital breath—what distinguishes the living from the dead. In poetical and some prose texts, may refer to (human or animal) life-force, distinguishing the living from inanimate matter. Can figuratively denote the living creature itself, understood as one possessing breath; rarely used to represent conscious intellect. In some contexts, particularly in later or poetic passages, used to express the idea of the animating force or capacity for life, occasionally with implications of divine bestowal of life.
Proverbs 20:27 · Word #3
Lexicon H5397
| Lemma | נְשָׁמָה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤍𐤔𐤌𐤄 |
| Transliteration | nᵉshâmâh |
| Strong's | H5397 |
| Definition | Breath; specifically, the act or process of breathing as the marker of animate life. In extension, living being; in specialized contexts, often denotes vital breath—what distinguishes the living from the dead. In poetical and some prose texts, may refer to (human or animal) life-force, distinguishing the living from inanimate matter. Can figuratively denote the living creature itself, understood as one possessing breath; rarely used to represent conscious intellect. In some contexts, particularly in later or poetic passages, used to express the idea of the animating force or capacity for life, occasionally with implications of divine bestowal of life. |
Morphology HNcfsc
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | f — Feminine — Feminine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | c — Construct — The noun is bound to the following word |
Common Translation
| Phrase | spirit |
SIBI-P1 Translation H5397-04
breath-of
| Morphological Notes | Noun, common, feminine singular, construct state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun derives from the root meaning "to breathe" and denotes breath as the marker of animate life. As a feminine singular noun in construct state (נִשְׁמַת), it is rendered "breath-of," preserving both its core sense and its bound, possessive form. |
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